Hey guys I am looking at purchasing my first AR style rifle. I am looking at the M&P 15-22. I love everything I see and hear about this gun, but am a little overwhelmed at all the different styles and accessories I see on the web. I have a $700 budget to get the rifle and accessorize it. The range I will use be at most 100 yards. I know I would like some kind of scope, sling, bipod, maybe a light, different stock, I just want this thing to look bad a$$ as well function. Do I spend the money and get the MOE or just a standard and buy all the toys later?

Do you want everything that comes on the MOE version. I bought one cause of the flip-up sights, and it was dark earth colored. It also had the single point sling adapter on the rear of the lower receiver. I got it for $525 plus tax. I've put about $300 or so into it and am looking for a scope now for it. The nice thing about .22LR AR's such as the 15-22, you don't have to buy all the expensive "true" AR accessories. You can go with Airsoft versions if you'd like. One, they're less expensive, and two, it's a .22LR, there's virtually no abuse to it recoil wise. I got a sling for it, a red dot scope which I may or may not sell, couple extra magazines, a case, light, and a second sling. Now looking for a scope for long distance. It's all in what you wanna do with it.

Get it...you will like it....I can pretty much "worry" a target at 100 yds with this set up, it was originally sighted for 25, next time for 50, two shots at 100 and I was on target, no changes...LOVE THIS THING!!!

Honestly I'm not sure if I want everything on it or not. Being a newb I really dont know what all that stuff is. I would like to not have a standard black color and I know I like the look of the stock better. I think that for me it is mostly about the looks of the MOE. This will basically just be a plinker for me and my son and the occasional squirrel at the hunt club. I guess I want this thing to look bad so the neighborhood thugs think I got a tricked out AR15 and stay away.

I was in the same boat you were about a month ago. I had done enough research on the topic that I was sure I wanted the 15-22. However, in all the excitement I just settled for the standard and although I've been very very very happy with it, about 400 rounds through it so far, when it came to accessories I kind of realized I should have gone for the MOE version.

Don't get me wrong, I really like it! I just didn't see the whole "project" gun thing sneak up on me, and now all the cost of getting those fun upgrades is getting to add up. It's a better deal if you get the MOE version that's all.

Get the MOE version. Even though I didn't buy the MOE version myself, it might as well be one now & I wish I had the quick disconnect sling point. Shoot it in the stock MOE configuration & find out what accessories will make it fit you better.

The best thing about the 15-22 is compatibility with standard AR accessories. If you ever move up to a .223/5.56, you can transfer the pricy accessories from the 15-22 to the major caliber AR.

I'd say start with the best rifle you can afford, and get the add ons later.
As I tell people when they're buying their first AR, get to know the weapon bone stock, there is no substitution for marksmanship skills.
Then you can get a scope and all the other trinkets thet'll make it tacticool, and be confident that if the scope breaks you can still hit your target.

Paracord
That is almost exactly what I want mine to look like. Which scope is that and the grip/bipod you have on there?

That's a basic TruGlo dot I had....works well for me, I tried others, it works just as well, holds a good zero. It is mounted on a riser handle that has a standard sight built in. On the front is a gripod. One the barrel is a Spikes Car-1.

Since you didn't clarify if this was going to be used as a defensive weapon or plinking. I'd say buy the basic model and build to your budget. The furnitures for stock are more than fine for that "Bad A$$" look, (sorry but Bad A$$ has a different look to so many people). Want one that just looks Tactical or functions, or both... the sky is the limit..

The MOE version is a great rifle but it doesn't add to the rifle as far as function, more for a little more solid in design. You are doing good in asking, but keep on looking at different M&P 15/22 photo's for the look you want, and build according.

Also before you start your upgrade, know what range you plan to shoot, what kind of shooting you plan on doing and this will help you dictate what build you will go with, exp. tactical shooting, hunting, targeting and/or just plinking. As far as optics, exp. Red Dot, Scope or just plain iron sights.

I want this thing to look bad so the neighborhood thugs think I got a tricked out AR15 and stay away.

Get a shotgun. You can make it look how you want, and it's a practical home defender. The .22lr is not.

For $700 you could leave the 15-22 alone until you know what you want and still get a shotgun for actually protecting yourself and others. That way you won't end up spending money on cheap parts from overseas that don't function and look like toys.

Agree with a lot being said here. Be sure what you want the rifle for. You mentioned a 100 yard shooting. If you be target shooting for accuracy at that range you'd be better off with something like a Remington 541 that gives pin-point accuracy. You're not going to get 1" size groups with the 15-22. That being said - the WOW and the pure "out & out" fun factor of the 15-22 can't be beat. I got two, 1 for me and the other for the gkids. Now I buy 22 ammo by the case.

Looking at the MOE on the smith & wesson web site it shows
the MOE version has a "Match Grade Precision Barrel" and the barrel length is 16in.
Is that the same barrel as the standard 15-22?
The MOE barrel is also threaded and has a suppresor on it.

Looking at the MOE on the smith & wesson web site it shows
the MOE version has a "Match Grade Precision Barrel" and the barrel length is 16in.
Is that the same barrel as the standard 15-22?
The MOE barrel is also threaded and has a suppresor on it.

The barrels are the same. The only factory 15-22's with different barrels on them are the compliant models and the performance model. The compliant models don't have threaded barrels or flash suppressors, and the performance models have a longer barrel(fluted) and a match chamber.

Are there any adaptors/mounts I need to buy for a scope, single point sling, and front grip?

For a scope, you need to take into consideration the size of the ocular bell, objective lens, and ring height. Most of my scopes won't mount up on my 15-22 because of the flat top receiver. The objective lens either hits the rail, or the ocular bell hits the rear sight.

Scope rings come in three basic heights - low, medium and high. High rings will mount most scopes up to a 42mm objective diameter on a 15-22, larger diameters if you use a 1/2" riser. Leaper makes a nice set for under $30, including quick-release styles. Midway has them.

I'll echo all those "Get the MOE" posts. I got the standard without even knowing the MOE existed (heat of moment and not doing enough research). Having the sling attachment for single point and the flip-down sites alone would be worth the price difference to me. Add in the grip and stock - pure win.

When I was looking to buy an M&P 15-22 I was looking at the standard A2 models until my local gun shop pulled out the MOE that they had ordered two and hadn't sold the second one. I did a little research that night and bought it the next day. I realized to add everything onto the standard A2 version would cost more than to buy it already on the MOE. Get the MOE

I bought the Performance Center model mainly because it was one of the only ones with a 10 round mag so there was no wait in my state. I needed it in a hurry for a major competition. I am glad I did, although I am not sure the 18" barrel is that much more accurate than the stock 16". Maybe a little. Need to try some longer range target shooting. I am sure it will not match my custom Remington 597 with its aftermarket barrel and trigger group. But as long as it is accurate out to 100 yards for the occasional tactical rimfire match I am happy.